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The US Secretary of State Calls on Georgia to Lift State of Emergency and Restrictions on Mass Media

The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, calls on Georgia to lift the state of emergency in the country and restrictions on mass media and immediately begin talks between Government and opposition, said Matthew J. Bryza, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, RIA Novosti reports.

"I have brought the letter of the US Secretary of State with the concrete proposals for repairing the situation. The USA calls on Georgia to lift the state of emergency in the country and restrictions on mass media and immediately begin political talks," Bryza told journalists at the State Chancellery of Georgia after his meeting with Zurab Noghaideli, Prime Minister of Georgia. According to him, the responsibility for the internal crisis falls on both the government and opposition.

"The situation in Tbilisi last week became a shock for the Georgian democracy. The USA expresses its concerns of destroy of demonstrations in Georgia," Bryza said. He said that the USA's interest in Georgia after the 'rose revolution' was linked with the democratic changes in the Country. He said that exactly this issue makes conditions on the USA's strategic interests toward Georgia.

The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State considers that fair and transparent elections may become a way out for the complicated situation.

"The Government of Georgia should ensure the conduct of such elections and the opposition should avoid unconstructive statements and come to talks," he said.

On 12 November, Bryza met with the leader of the united opposition and received information on the situation in Georgia. In addition, he plans to meet with the President of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili.

The US official arrived in Georgia on 11 November will stay in the country till November 13.